The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

A CUBAN national is still at large in the country after a group of inmates attempted to escape custody from the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell confirmed yesterday.

Speaking to The Tribune, Mr Mitchell said Roberto Angulo Lamadrid had been at large for a few days. He said during last week’s severe weather, a group of the detainees had tried to free themselves. All were captured except for Lamadrid.

Further, Mr Mitchell addressed the publication of several photos on the internet depicting inmates with their mouths wired shut in protest of their treatment at the Centre.

“He’s been at large for sometime but there is an ongoing search for him,” Mr Mitchell said.

“Our investigations have also discovered that the photos being circulated on the internet are very old photos. Because of the pictures, there was also a search undertaken at the facility for cellphones. While none was found, there is reason to believe that a cellphone is somewhere among the detainees.”

As officials continue their search for Lamadrid, Cuban Ambassador Ernesto Soberon Guzman said no official at the Ministry of Immigration or Foreign Affairs has notified his Embassy.

“I am just knowing of this person yesterday and until yesterday I had no knowledge of this. I know of the individual and until yesterday we believed that he was still detained there,” said the ambassador.

“No one has officially informed us, but I plan to raise the issue next week when I visit the detention centre.”

Mr Guzman said the Cuban Embassy has yet to make any official inquires with the government on the matter.